Jain Journal 2012 07

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 42

· K.G. Sheshadri : Vimanas in Jain Texts- A Glimpse of Aeronautical Sciences
" 43
sakalairapyekakālam sammīlyollāsitaṁ kila cacāla pālaka nāma vimānam vāsavecchayāa // dvātrimsallakşasankhyānairvimānaiḥ parivestitam / tiryanmārgeņa saudharmottarato'pyuttatāra tat //
In verses (VII. 519-520], the descriptions of the aerial vehicle resembling sweat drops in the sky and further disappearance of it in the sky are described. The description of the maneuvers of the Vimāna and diminishing its size are also given in the text (VII.548).
tato'rvāka krāman dvīpā'bdhin vimānam tanmuhurlaghu / sakrascakre guṇasthānā nīva cāritravān bhavam //
Likewise, the Jayodaya Mahakāvyaml of Bhūramalji Šāstri describes Ākāśagāmini Vidya and Vimānas of Vidyādharas. The Jain Epic ‘Paumācariyam'12 of Vimalasuri, based on Rāmāyaṇa also has several references to Vimānas. Rāvana took flights in Puspaka Vimāna [8.128]. Rāma came to Ayodhya in a Vimāna [79.1]. The Krauñcavimāna of Srikantha indicates that they had Vimānas of different shapes. [6.53]. The 10th c. A.D. Tamil work 'Nilakeci' mentions Vaimānikar who live beyond the Karpaloka. These brave Gods exist in Navakraiveyaka (of 3 groups each having 3 together) and 9 directions in Panchanuttarankall3. Similarly the Tamil work 'Jeevakachintamani'l4also speaks of aerial vehicles. Scene of Nantaţtan fighting his enemies in his chariot flying in the sky (vv.793796) is depicted. When Chaccanttan, a king has to face war against Kațțiyankāran he tries to send Vicayai, his queen in a Vimāna.
CONCLUSIONS Ancient Aeronautical Sciences have been part of discussions for quite some now. Ancient Indian texts are replete with such descriptions of Vimanas. With the discovery of the Bhāradvāja's Vaimānikaśāstra text, it has only substantiated such early refernces to these aerial vehicles which were considered to be imaginary and fanciful. Similar descriptions have been discussed in Jain texts as